Folding stand



R. H. HIATT FOLDING STAND my 3o, 1929.

Filed Sept. 24, 1927 Patented July 30, 1929. f.

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Application filed septemter 24,1927; serial 30;.1221758? ie The object of this myy present invention, broadly speaking, is the provision of a Ifolding stool or stand which is simple inconstruction, strong and'durablein its several parts, r easily operated to openand close, eicient in practice, adapted to a variety-of usesfwhich will occupy but a minimum of spaceyeconomical of transportation, and which can bemannfactured and sold at a comparatively low le price. i

More specifically stated, my object is to `provide' a stand which is especially adaptedl to support a basket or the like having a rounded bottom, which basket can not inadvertently slip olf the stand, but by which the basket can be vsupported in either upright or inv tilted position, and by which the basket can be supported at either one or more elevations; the stand also being adapted to support a box or a tub or other article, even though the bottom be not rounded; and at the time being adapted to support a comparatively great weight.

Other objectsand particular advantages of my invention will suggest themselves in the course of the following specification. rlhe preferred means for carrying out the princi.- ples of my invention in a practical and efficient manner is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which-Figure 1 is a perspective view of my complete stand alone and in folded condition. Figure 2 shows the stand opened out and showing a basket supported thereby in tilted position. Figure 3 shows my stand open but reversed with relation to Fig. 2, and showing a basket supported thereby in upright position. Figure 4 shows the stand in the same position as in Fig. 2 but showing a tub supported thereby. And Figure 5 is a cross section, as taken, for instance, on the line 55 of Fig. 1.

Similar indices denote like parts throughout the several views.

Merely for convenience in description, and for clearness of comprehension, I will herein refer to the stand as it is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4: as in upright position; while as that shown in Fig. 3 I will refer to as in reversed or inverted position, that is turned upside down. Also in the description reference is made to upper and lower parts, or similar terms, it will have reference to the position of the stand as it is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

As the three main members of the device are identical with each other in every partivoli-tr, therefore, to avoid pfellsty of do fof'one ofthe '---This `main -members zwhich are 'identical with each other, eaclrbeing substantially trapezoidal in iscription, corresponding Yparts in' designated by like' indices ,and a description main' members (will answer for al11. =:i..x;l i H211 I i I will now take up a detailleddesciiption of eachl will bel lmy invention,in which I-will set forth the yfsame as Kfully'andxE as comprehensively `as`I I-ly.' ..l y

invention includes three,4 or more,

'contour-and each formed,in this instance, of a singleglengtlr of round-iron, or rodwhich is bent into substantiallythe shape shown and eachinclu'ding a'vertical leg-portion 1- anda vertical stem portion 2, 'parts are par! iallel with each other butarefspaced apart, vwithl the center of thei stem" 2 located 'above Extending outwardE and"y upward, in a'y lcurve, from the istem 2 is ltheiupper or short -arm member 3,'whieh connects withlthe upper and inverted U-shaped contact member 4:, formed by the union of the outer part of the arm 4 and the upper part of the leg 1.

Likewise, extending outward and downward, in a curve from the lower end of the stem 2, is the long or lower arm member 5, which connects with lower U-shaped contact member 6, formed by the union of the outer part1 of the arm 5 and the lower part of the The member l is formed double throughout the greater portion of its length, which is accomplished simply by twisting together the two parts of which the main member is formed.

Each of the main members is formed by first securing the part of a rod which is to form the stem 2, then bending the arms 3 and 5, and next the U-shaped contacts 4 and 6, and the remainder of the end portions of the material which will then lie parallel with each other are then twisted together, as shown, thereby forming the leg portion 1, and thereby forming a very rigid construction.

In order to assemble, three or more of the main members are placed together, as in Fig. 1, and stem portions thereof are then inclosed in the collar 7 which forms a hinge portion, with each of the stems rotatable independent- 1y of each other Said collar 7 may be formed of a plate of sheet metal pressed around the three stems 2 or, preferably, it vmay befofziiattenedltubir lar construction, as4k shown, andif of the latter construction then the three rodsintended to form the three main members, mustbewnserted in the collar 7 before they are lbent, as stated above.

In the drawings the letter A denotes the outline of a rounded bottom basket, such as is intended to be used with my stand. Letter Bl designates the outlineof a tub, and letter C denotes the floortonwhich my stand rests.

l OperationznWhen opened=out,ithat is with the three main members spaced cquidistance apart, the stand maybe placed in operative position with the threercontact n'ieinbers 6 l resti-ng on the ioorC. The basket A is placed in position, nesting on the arms 3, with the basket 1n either upright, orl 1n tilted position asin Fig; 2, t v.lierebyl the goods contained in 20y the basket maybe readily shown and at the proper height, both-for examination and for protection fromdamage. Another one of my stands may beplaced in front of the first stand, with the second;stand-reversed, that is with the contacts@ resting onl the floor C, with a second-basket placed on .the second stand'as in Fig. 3. g This,of course, will bring the second basket slightly lower than the firstv basket, and thereby making the display convenientfandfeectivet more If my standbeused to support atub B then `eitherendlof-thestand may be' uppermost and the tub, or` other article, will rest oncontacts 4, or 6,J which: ever happens to .be uppermost.

When not in use the stand may be folded, as in Fig. l, when it may be hung up out of the way for future use.

Y Itis evident that when folded a great number of my stands may be placed in a comparatively small space for shipment, or storage.

I desire that it be understood that various changes may be made in the shape land other details herein shown Without departing from the spirit of my invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof which are new-and useful. f

rHaving now fully shown and described my invention,. `what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States,

A stand com prising a plurality of main section members which are identical with each other, cach of said members being formed bya metal rod forming a stem member and a legmember parallel with each other, the

leg member being formed 'by the end portions of the rod twisted together Witlrthe lcenter of the stem member onv a level diiferent from that of the center of the leg. member, and means for pivotally connecting the stem members. A l

In-testimony whereof l havehereunto subscribed my name. y

ROSCOE H.' HIATT. 

